Introduction. The biblical theme of salvation or the removal of sins is an urgent study for all men because all have sinned (Rom. 3:23). Unfortunately, some of the key verses related to the removal of sins, such as Acts 2:38 and Acts 22:16, are treated with great bias. Let us now approach Acts 22:16 with a resolution to understand and practice it. Acts 22:16 says this:
- “And now why are you delaying? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”
Before an exegesis of Acts 22:16, let us be aware of the circumstances and details that prompted it. Acts 22 contains the first of five self-defense speeches by Paul in connection with the charges brought against him in Jerusalem (see Acts 21:28-40). Paul addresses the Jews (Sanhedrin) in Acts 22 and tells of his experience on the road to Damascus (vv. 1-9, this happened when Paul was known as “Saul”, the Jew who persecuted the Christians) . Paul explained that the Lord in the miraculous vision had told him: “…go to Damascus; and there you will be told all the things that you are commanded to do” (v. 10). The preacher Ananias, Paul reports, approached him and explained the work that the Lord has in store for Paul (vv. 14, 15, cp. 26: 14-18). However, before Paul could do such a work, he himself had to get right with God or his sins would be removed. So, our study verse, verse 16. Let’s now look at Acts 22:16 and look at the words, phrases, and clauses that make up the teaching of it.
“… and now…” ( kai no N ). The information imparted by Ananias to Saul about how he was to be “his (Jesus, dm) a witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.” persecutor of Christians (vv. 3-5). He and” ( kai ) shows the continuation and development of thought with the statement of verse 16 and what has preceded and the “now” ( no N ) focuses on the present (“and” or the copulative conjunction kaithe essential “…be baptized and wash away your sins…” will be incorporated later). Often, past circumstances emphatically and urgently impact the present. Paul’s commission and apostleship would fit, but he must first address the issue of his own sins.
“… why do you delay? …” ( you melleis). We are not sure of all the possible details that could be involved in “why are you taking so long?” The Greek mello normally carries with it the meaning of “about to do something.” According to the original account, it does not appear that Saul is waiting after being told what to do to be saved (Acts 9:18). The grammar involved in mello in Acts 22:16 seems to further indicate that immediate action in response to information received is lacking (melleis is 2 person, singular, present tense, and indicative mood, suggesting, “why are you still delaying?”, The Analytical Greek Lexicon , page 262). Regardless, immediate action is required under the circumstances (compare Acts 16:33).
Too many people delay and wait and therefore miss out on many opportunities in this life. The scriptures tell us that, “…now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2). When people persist in waiting, a hardened heart is likely to develop (cf. Heb. 3:13).
“… arise… ( baskets 2 person, singular, masculine, participle, aorist 2, The Analytical Greek Lexicon , pg. 25). anastasliterally translates, “arising.” “Rise” rather than simply “arise” (without regard to the participle form of the verb) seems to be more emphatic. Let me inject, that if baptism can be just sprinkling or pouring instead of immersion, why would Paul have to stand up, Ananias could have sprinkled or poured some water on Saul’s head? (Baptism is immersion, Col. 2:12, Rom. 6.)
From the original account of Saul turning to Jesus it would appear that he was praying at the arrival of Ananias (Acts 9:11). Therefore, Saul would have been doing precisely what some religions teach: “Pray to the end for salvation.” Instead of telling Saul to continue praying, Ananias tells Saul to “get up.”
“…thirsty baptized…” ( baptisai2 persons, singular, aorist 1, imperative mood and middle voice, Analytical Greek Lexicon , p. Sixty-five). The second person is the usual posture of a verb when one is the recipient of what is said. Aorist 1 and the imperative mood indicate that Saul was commanded to be baptized. The middle voice is technical and difficult to convey in English grammar. Ray Summer wrote thus regarding the middle voice: “This voice describes the subject participating in the action, either directly or indirectly, and yet the action is also on the subject itself” ( Essentials of the Greek New Testament)., p. 48). The Holy Spirit seems to have used the middle voice in the case of Acts 22:16 to show the activity of the one so addressed; while the Spirit merely supplied the passive voice (acted upon) in the case of Acts 2:38. Water baptism is something that is done to you; however, the person receiving the action is also active (middle voice of the verb).
“… wash away your sins…” ( apolousai tas hamartias sou ). Water baptism that is preceded by belief, repentance, and confession of the deity of Jesus is “for the remission of sins” ( hey aphesinton hamarton humon, Acts 2:38). The “wash away your sins” agrees that baptism is a washing, spiritually speaking (1 Cor. 6:11). In 1 Corinthians 6:11, Paul mentions a number of specific sins such as “fornicators,” “homosexuals,” and “drunkards” and then uses three words to describe their changed and forgiven condition: “washed,” “sanctified,” and “justified.” ” (1 Cor. 6: 9-11). These three words describe the same saved state. Just as sanctification and justification are essential to salvation, so is baptism (“washing,” cf. Heb. 12:14; Rom. 5:1). Again, this “washing” is not physical but is the “response of a good conscience toward God” (1 Peter 3:21, the one so baptized has a good conscience insofar as he has obeyed, cp. Heb. 5: 8, 9 ).
Man often fails to understand the connection between the washing away of your sins pertaining to water baptism and the blood of Jesus being, “…shed for many for the remission of sins” ( hey aphesin hmartion, Matthew 26:28). Therefore, they look for ways to negate the obvious teaching of Acts 22:16. Others who have embraced “salvation by faith alone” theology see baptism as a meritorious deed, which would be damned (Ephesians 2:8, 9). ). Let me quote the famous Baptist grammarian AT Robertson in Acts 22:16:
- “…It is possible, as in Acts 2:38, to take these words as teaching baptismal remission or salvation through baptism, but to do so is, in my opinion, a complete subversion of Paul’s vivid and picturesque language. As in Romans 6:4-6, where baptism is the image of death, burial, and resurrection, here baptism represents the change that had already taken place when Paul surrendered to Jesus on the way (Acts 22:10 ). Baptism here represents the washing away of sins by the blood of Christ. Word Pictures in the New Testament , vol. 3, p. 392).
The intellect and reasoning powers of man must be exercised in any profitable study of the Scriptures. However, we must not allow our own reason to exclude what is expressly taught in the word of God (see annex). Regarding the “washing” (baptism), consider what Paul himself later wrote in treating the subject of salvation both negatively and affirmatively:
- “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5).
It must be admitted that biblical baptism is a work. However, like belief, baptism is a “work of God” (cf. Jn 6, 29). Baptism “makes disciples” and thereby places one in a saved relationship with the Godhead (Matt. 28:19). It seems that scholar Robertson in his comments on Acts 22:16 fails to realize that baptism is not presented in Scripture as isolated and separate from the blood of Jesus and only symbolically “represents the washing away of sins by the blood of Jesus.” Christ”. Since the blood of Jesus was shed for “the remission of sins” and biblical baptism is said to be “for the remission of sins,” we must conclude that it is in the act of baptism that the blood of Jesus that forgives sins sins is contacted spiritually (Matt. 26:28; Acts 22:16, 2:38). Therefore, one has no remission of sins before coming in contact with the blood of Jesus at baptism. No, the scriptures do not teach salvation by water in the sense that water saves a person. As can be seen, the blood of Jesus saves (Heb. 8; 9). However, baptism is the means of this salvation in that it places the (unsaved) sinner in a position to benefit from Jesus’ death and resurrection (Rom. 6; 1 Pet. 3:21). In fact, a change has already taken place in the life of the candidate for baptism. Believing has created trust and acceptance, repentance has brought about a dramatic change, and confessing the deity of Jesus has declared allegiance to Christ, but a person does not officially change his relationship with God from unsaved to saved until his sins have been forgiven and he is saved. forgiveness culminates in water baptism, the washing away of sins. the blood saves (Heb. 8; 9). However, baptism is the means of this salvation in that it places the (unsaved) sinner in a position to benefit from Jesus’ death and resurrection (Rom. 6; 1 Pet. 3:21). In fact, a change has already taken place in the life of the candidate for baptism. Believing has created trust and acceptance, repentance has brought about a dramatic change, and confessing the deity of Jesus has declared allegiance to Christ, but a person does not officially change his relationship with God from unsaved to saved until his sins have been forgiven and he is saved. forgiveness culminates in water baptism, the washing away of sins. the blood saves (Heb. 8; 9). However, baptism is the means of this salvation in that it places the (unsaved) sinner in a position to benefit from Jesus’ death and resurrection (Rom. 6; 1 Pet. 3:21). In fact, a change has already taken place in the life of the candidate for baptism. Believing has created trust and acceptance, repentance has brought about a dramatic change, and confessing the deity of Jesus has declared allegiance to Christ, but a person does not officially change his relationship with God from unsaved to saved until his sins have been forgiven and he is saved. forgiveness culminates in…